Uncomfortable riding situations

[Gary856]

On two wheels it’s a contant battle against gravity. Some people turn around and go home when they feel something is off; I tend to push forward because my curiority (can I make it thru) is just a bit stronger than my fear (would I drop the bike). The fear mostly comes from two unknowns – is there enough traction, and, can I pick the bike up if it went down.

Some situations that make me feel somewhat uneasy –
- Riding up Mt Hamilton when there’s snow toward the top – Will it be icy? How bad will it get?
- Riding on twisty roads after dark – better not lose track visually where the road is in the middle of a turn.
- Riding next to the beach with strong wind and 3-4 inches of sand on the pavement.
- Riding in SF with steep hills, odd angles, unfamiliar roads and wind.
- Pretty much any steep downhill off road on a street bike.

What situations make you feel uneasy?

 

[ontherearwheel]

On two wheels it’s a contant battle against gravity. Some people turn around and go home when they feel something is off; I tend to push forward because my curiority (can I make it thru) is just a bit stronger than my fear (would I drop the bike). The fear mostly comes from two unknowns – is there enough traction, and, can I pick the bike up if it went down.

Some situations that make me feel somewhat uneasy –
- Riding up Mt Hamilton when there’s snow toward the top – Will it be icy? How bad will it get?
- Riding on twisty roads after dark – better not lose track visually where the road is in the middle of a turn.
- Riding next to the beach with strong wind and 3-4 inches of sand on the pavement.
- Riding in SF with steep hills, odd angles, unfamiliar roads and wind.
- Pretty much any steep downhill off road on a street bike.

What situations make you feel uneasy?

Traffic...........everything above.....Is easy to deal with............but, ain’t so, say on 237 during commute time and lane splitting.

 

[solarae]

Riding dappled roads at speed. My eyes ain't what they used to be so I quit riding Avenue of the Giants and the west end of 36 with the fast boys. My own road is semi twisty and dappled but at least I know it well.

 

[Whammy]

Heeee heeee Dappled Roads. :teeth:rofl
Whammy Likes new to him word.:thumbup

 

[N4teTheGreat]

On my street bike, any time traction is questionable I back off the pace but I've never turned around. I've never ridden in snow, I'm not sure if I'd try or not, probably depends on the situation. Dirt on street tires is ok but off camber turns or steep downhills are likely to cause a drop and I like my bike shiny.

I had the pleasure of riding in a downpour in Colorado that resulted in a massive diesel spill across the roadway once. No option but to keep going, I was very glad traffic was moving slow so I didn't have to test the amount of traction I had.

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

Mines Road/Mt Hammy at dusk... on one ride, I had the biggest deer I had ever seen leap out into the road in front of me... 2 turns later a badger charged me... and 3-4 turns after that, I had a bat fly into my visor.
:nchantr
I made the really loud motard lead the rest of the way (and yeah, no more wildlife!).
Lots of critters come out at dusk.

Riding twisty roads in the dark is cool, but you really need to know the road, and keep your speeds down a bit... and try not to get distracted by the unbelievable amounts of glowing eyes reflecting back in the brush on the side of the road (thinking of Redwood, in this particular instance).

 

[bikeama]

Heeee heeee Dappled Roads. :teeth:rofl
Whammy Likes new to him word.:thumbup

+1

 

[thomas.tc.young]

To me, motorcycling is like an intimate relationship and if something feels off maybe it is. When I don't feel great about riding, maybe it's a good opportunity to do something else and not ride.

 

[norcalAF]

Traffic...........everything above.....Is easy to deal with............but, ain’t so, say on 237 during commute time and lane splitting.

I can adapt to road conditions pretty well, but traffic is another beast. Always have my head on a swivel on the 24 and the 680

 

[Pushrod]

Unpredictable squirrels with ignition keys make me nervous.

 

[gixxerjeff]

Nicasio road, Petaluma/Pt Reyes road in the dark.
That's my commute. I start work at 2:30pm and head home at 11:00pm.
The deer, opossums and raccoons are unbelievably unpredictable at the end of my shift. On some nights I won't see a thing, other nights they seem to be gathered around every corner. I even had a close call with an owl recently.
On warm afternoons the bike seems too tempting to deny but on the way home I am reminded it may not have been worth it.

 

[mdorkenhoff]

Mines Road/Mt Hammy at dusk... on one ride, I had the biggest deer I had ever seen leap out into the road in front of me... 2 turns later a badger charged me... and 3-4 turns after that, I had a bat fly into my visor.

Like riding through a petting zoo!

 

[budman]

What situations make you feel uneasy?

Since I don't really ride at night...For me it is mountain roads that I am not familiar with and the chance that someone pull a illegal U turn or the hidden driveway where someone can invade my space.

Sudden change in traction... had a nice two wheel slide on HWY 4 that turned out OK thankfully.

Also the chance that there is a stopped vehicle in the road or a Canyon Rat lurking.. and last but not least a performance award.

None stop me, but all keep me on my toes and assessing. :ride

 

[maidenfan84]

Uncomfortable is also when you're SAFELY lane splitting and another rider senselessly cuts you off or rides your ass for no good reason.

 

[solarae]

Dappled for me is dappled sunshine coming through the trees. Light dark light dark. We gots lots of Redwoods round here.

 

[Pking]

Uneasy? RAIN! Ironically I actually like riding in the rain and won't give it a second thought. BUT, with the rain comes utter unpredictability of cagers not seeing you...and that's where the uneasiness comes in. They're so focus on trying to see the barely visible lane lines that many don't see you at all due to fogged up side & back windows. I try to stay way back or way ahead as much as possible, and never to ride on the side of them.

 

[anytwowilldo]

I crashed twice on the SMR. Both times I was able to get up and walk away unhurt. I rode home after each one as "I was just not feeling it" any longer. I needed to reset my mental game and really look over my bike -even though it usually only needs bars etc.

I ride off road a lot and ride through sketchy/slick stuff all the time, but I would not enjoy riding my big street bike in the snow.

 

[fumblerooskie]

I once hit a dear with a car at high speed. We were lucky we weren't killed. If it had happened on a moto I wouldn't be posting this here.
I don't drive at dusk or later unless it's in an urban area were there are no large wild animals.

 

[ejv]

Riding in the mountains of northern New Mexico in February at elevations up to about 9K feet with ground up volcanic rock adding grit to the road and 6-8 ft snow banks on the side of the road. Too damn cold and too damn slippery to be comfortable.

 

[sjuels]

Leaving work, super late, Friday night, and riding between obviously impaired drivers that are trying the human pinball machine on the bay bridge.
Critters waiting in the shadows to body check you at speed in the dusk of autumn nights.

/Soren